RAINSVILLE, Al. — The DeKalb County Board of Education met on March 19, 2026, to address a wide range of district business, including financial matters, personnel changes, equipment bids, and upcoming projects.
During the meeting, board members approved routine items such as the meeting agenda and minutes from the February 16 session, along with school financial statements and payment of bills and accounts.
Bids and Equipment Purchases
The board reviewed and approved several bids, including the purchase of a Chevrolet Silverado through Donohoo Chevrolet. Additionally, bids were accepted for new school buses, including 12 Type C 72-passenger buses and two Type C special education buses from Southland Transportation Group.
Personnel Updates
A number of personnel changes were presented, including one on-the-job injury involving an Ider High School bus driver.
Several retirements were announced, including:
- Nancy Eberhart, bus driver at Plainview High School
- Detha Johnson, reading specialist at Geraldine High School
- Anita Black, elementary teacher at Ider High School
- Heath Kirby, principal of Sylvania High School
- Tammy Williams, elementary teacher at Crossville Elementary School
- Robert Gilley and Amanda Plunkett, special education teachers at Fyffe High School
- Allison Foster, EL teacher at Collinsville High School
Resignations included staff members from Crossville Elementary, Geraldine High, Collinsville High, and Crossville Middle School.
The board also approved multiple leaves of absence affecting teachers, custodians, and bus drivers across the district.
Transfers and New Placements
One transfer was approved, moving a Sylvania High School store worker into a district Pre-K secretary/bookkeeper role.
New hires and placements included several teachers and bus drivers assigned to schools such as Geraldine High School and Plainview High School. All placements remain contingent on background checks, drug screenings, and certification requirements.
Athletics and Volunteers
The board approved volunteer coaches for baseball and soccer programs at Fyffe, Geraldine, Ider, and Sylvania high schools.
Superintendent’s Recommendations
Among the superintendent’s recommendations, the board considered adopting new history textbooks from Savvas for grades K–12 pending state approval, as well as state-approved arts resources.
Additional items included:
- A new softball scoreboard at Sylvania High School
- A ParentSquare communication contract
- Purchase of property adjacent to Sylvania High School
- Expansion of the bus garage parking lot
- Replacement of the gym floor at Ider School
Student Trips and Recognitions
The board approved several out-of-state field trips for various schools, including visits to Six Flags, the Tennessee Aquarium, Dollywood, and other educational destinations.
Board members also recognized the Plainview Lady Bears basketball team for finishing as the 2026 state runner-up and congratulated Geraldine High School students for winning two of five competitions at the UAH Frontier STEM Competition.
Next Meeting
The next board meeting is scheduled for April 23, 2026, with a work session at 4:30 p.m. followed by the regular meeting at 5:00 p.m. at the Facilities Building.
